Undershot: meaning, definitions and examples

⚙️
Add to dictionary

undershot

 

[ ʌndərʃɑt ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

mechanical context

The term 'undershot' refers to a specific design characteristic in machinery, particularly in water wheels. An undershot wheel is one that is driven by the water striking its blades or paddles from below. This design is common in areas with low water flow where the water passes over the wheel's lower sections, making it highly efficient for certain applications. In comparison to overshot wheels, which require water to fall onto them from above, undershot wheels operate effectively in shallow water conditions. They have been utilized in various industries for milling and power generation, showcasing versatility in functionality.

Synonyms

beneath, submerged, underneath.

Examples of usage

  • The undershot wheel powered the mill efficiently.
  • Farmers in the valley prefer undershot designs.
  • The factory installed an undershot water wheel.
  • Understanding undershot mechanisms is crucial for engineers.

Translations

Translations of the word "undershot" in other languages:

🇵🇹 subdimensionado

🇮🇳 कमज़ोर

🇩🇪 unterdimensioniert

🇮🇩 kurang ukuran

🇺🇦 недостатній

🇵🇱 niedostateczny

🇯🇵 不足した

🇫🇷 insuffisant

🇪🇸 insuficiente

🇹🇷 yetersiz

🇰🇷 불충분한

🇸🇦 غير كافٍ

🇨🇿 nedostatečný

🇸🇰 nedostatočný

🇨🇳 不足的

🇸🇮 pomanjkljiv

🇮🇸 ófullnæging

🇰🇿 жеткіліксіз

🇬🇪 არასაკმარისი

🇦🇿 kifayət qədər olmayan

🇲🇽 insuficiente

Etymology

The word 'undershot' stems from the prefix 'under-' meaning beneath or below, and the word 'shot' which is derived from the Old English 'sceot', meaning to shoot or to strike. The combination implies a mechanism that operates beneath the surface or level of something else, particularly in relation to water movement and mechanical structures. This term emerged prominently during the industrial revolution when water-powered mechanisms were integral to various industries. As technology adapted to different water sources and geographic conditions, 'undershot' became a significant term in engineering and mechanics, describing a specific configuration that harnesses kinetic energy effectively in low-flow environments. Its usage has evolved alongside advancements in technology while retaining its original mechanical context.